Providence Downtown Church (Facebook Page) has just finished its second month of ministry.  We rejoice over what God is doing in men and women’s lives.  The Idaho Falls Rescue Mission (Facebook Page) recently had another gentleman graduate from the Works Program.  Emmaus Road Church (Facebook Page) has seen new levels of spiritual growth.  And our city and Southeast Idaho region have been experiencing renewed touches of God’s blessing.  The signs of spring are everywhere.  May Jesus be glorified!

Here are some of the highlights from April

• April 1:  On Easter Sunday, my sister, Debbie Falconer, shared her testimony of faith in the midst of the fire.  Fifty-four people were in attendance at Providence Downtown Church.
• April 4: Fourteen servants of Jesus gathered for lunch at the City of Refuge to share and pray.
• April 8: I had the great privilege to preach in the morning service at First Evangelical Lutheran Church while Pastor Jason Ginsburg was out of town. Later in the day, Providence Downtown Church had a baptismal service at Berean Baptist Church.  Six men were baptized.  Great joy!!  And we loved the fellowship with Pastor Ken Feliciano and the Berean brothers and sisters.  Also, I love Berean’s new website!  Well done, indeed!
• April 10: Upper Valley Pastors’ Morning Breakfast and Fellowship in Ashton, Idaho
• April 12:  Visited with missionaries to Asia, Tim and Laura Berrey and their six children (Live With A Mission).  It was terrific to see my old friend.
• April 13:  Salvation of a brother in a downtown coffee shop.
• April 14: Graduation ceremony for Benjamin Nielson from the IFRM Works Program.
• April 15: Afternoon ministry to the inmates at the Bonneville County Jail.
• April 17:  Warriors For Truth Pastor’s Fellowship.
• April 22:  We listened to Peter Vasquez of Second Chance Ministries in Fort Hall, Idaho.  In the evening, Chris Anderson shared his testimony at Providence Downtown Church.
• April 28:  We enjoyed fellowship as we watched the movie, Paul, Apostle of Christ.
• April 29:  Afternoon ministry at the Bonneville County Jail.  In the evening, two men were baptized in the river at South Tourist Park.  A glorious celebration!

Would you like to contribute financially on a monthly basis to my missionary work?  Here are three ways: (1) Send the contribution to my home church, Emmaus Road Church, and mark it as “missionary fund for Todd Wood”; (2) Address mission support to Providence Downtown Church in care of my name as well, or (3) You are welcome to give directly to me.  For the month of April, I received $1550 in ongoing monthly support and $150 in special gifts.  Thank you so much!

On the home front: My sister Debbie Falconer and her four kids spent a week in Idaho Falls.  What a blessing!  In upcoming days, we will see our oldest son, Elon, receive his college diploma.  And our youngest daughter, Mariah, will be graduating from Skyline High School.

Prayer requests:

1. Pray for a great gathering this Thursday, May 3, on the National Day of Prayer.
2. Please pray for the staff and residents of the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission.  Pray for an upcoming mission trip, May 19-21, to the Union Gospel Rescue Mission of Missoula, Montana.
3. Please pray for Downtown Providence Church, Emmaus Road Church, Berean Baptist Church, and all the other smaller church families seeking to be a vibrant witness to the gospel of Jesus in Idaho Falls.
4. Please pray for restored health for my brother-in-law, Pastor Joe Lacy, in Rexburg, Idaho.

My three main ministry objectives: 

1. Be a servant pastor with Providence Downtown Church that specifically ministers to the incarcerated, the addicted, the homeless, and impoverished.  It is a church ministering to those in the margins.
2. Minister as a chaplain with the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission:  (1) Encouraging and partnering with local and regional churches, (2) Discipling IFRM staff, volunteers, and residents, and providing pastoral prayer, encouragement, counsel, Biblical preaching, and teaching,  and (3) Assisting with discipleship components for the IFRM Work’s Program.
3. Be a blessing to the Emmaus Road Church and seek to be an encouragement to the other local church families.

Thank you all for taking a moment to read this update.

roots by the river,

Todd Wood (downtown missionary)